Snap-on trim structure



Jan. 12, 1943. F. J. WESTROPE SNAP-ON TRIM STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 30, 1940 Snventor- 7 Gttornegs 8 0/ Am w J Patented Jan. 12, 1943 SNAP-0N TRIM STRUCTURE Frederick J. Westrope, Pleasant Ridge, Mich., as-

signor, by mesne assignments, to `Reconstruc tion Finance Corporation,

Detroit, Mich., a corf poration of the United States Application October 30, 1940, Serial No. 363,433 (c1. 18s-ss) 4 Claims.

. for holding the edges of fabric as well as additional means for ornamenting the junction be-v tween the adjacent edges of the fabric.

Another object is to provide a trim structure having fabric holding portions with a projection therebetween, and a separate ornamental v trim member snapped into place over the projection so as to cover the projection and assist' in holding the fabric against the structure.

Another object is to provide a trim structure having spaced clamping flanges for holding the edge of a fabric and an elongated ridge or rib having a hollow elongated snap-on member superimposed upon the ridge and assisting in holding the fabric in position.

In the drawing;

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the snap-on trim structure of this invention showing the fabric and the snap-on member partly broken away to disclose the remaining structure more clearly.

Figure 2 is a cross section along the line 2--2 in Figure 1.

In the decorating and covering of automobiles and furniture, it is necessary to secure the ends of the fabric firmly in position. At the same time, it is also necessary to cover the line along which the fabric is anchored. In prior structures of this character, however, it has been difficult to conceal this line and at the same time to make it accessible and convenient for manufacturing purposes.

In the present invention, a projecting ridge is provided adjacent the edge line of the fabric.

Over this projecting ridge there is snapped a hollow member of approximately U-shaped cross-section, this hollow member serving to conceal the ridge and also the junction line or anchorage line of the fabric. At the same time, moreover, the hollow member may also serve to hold the fabric more securely against the structure and thus increase the strength of the anchorage.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Figures l and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the invention as consisting of a fabric-holding member I0 and a snap-on member Il. The anchorage member I0 consists of an elongated structure having spaced rear walls I2 with a hollow projecting ridge I3 therebetween and having I2 are bent a restricted neck I4. The rear walls back on themselves around outer edges I5, with the free edge portions I6 directed toward the neck I4 of the ridge I3 and parallel with the rear portions I2. The free edges I1 of the fabric covering I8 are inserted between the portions I2 and I6 and held therebetween, not only by the resilience of the structure but also by indentations (not shown) in the portions I2 or I6.

The ridge I3 is enlarged beyond the neck' I4 and is covered by the snap-on member II which is sprung into place thereover. The snap-on member I I is preferably integral with a base portion I9 and edge portions 20.

The edge portions 20 are preferably beaded so that they snap around the enlarged parts 2I of the ridge I3 and spring into place against the neck III of the ridge I3. The snap-on member II is preferably constructed of plastic material having ornamental characteristics as well as durability and flexibility. The fabric-holding member I0 is conveniently made of metal. In order to serve as ornamentation, however, this metal would require plating if the ridge I3 were left exposed. By the use of the snap-on member I l of plastic material, however, the metal may be left unplated because it is entirely covered by the snap-on member II at its exposed rib I3. At the same time, the edges 20 of the snap-on member I9 serve to clamp the fabric I8 more rmly against the portions I6, if desired.

In the assembling of the structure, the free edges I1 of the fabric I8 are inserted between the portions I2 and I6 of the fabric holding portion Ill and suitable indentations made, if desired. The snap-on portion II is then snapped into position, covering the exposed ridge I3 and also the edge lines 22 where the fabric turns around the edges of the portions I6. In this manner the plastic snap-on member II conceals the edge lines 22 and also assists in holding the fabric. Another advantage is that different colors of plastic material may be used for the snapon members II, thereby enabling a variety of decoration to be given which is not possible with the use of metallic material alone.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it will be understood that various modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. In a trim structure, an elongated, relatively narrow base member having longitudinally disposed clamping means for securing fabric thereto and an elongated ridge extending therealong, said ridge having an enlarged outer portion and a longitudinally'disposed constricted portion between said outer portion and said base member,

and a'cover member having an enlarged longitudinal recess and inwardly extending edges defining a constricted entrance to said recess, said at least one of its edges extending over the junc- *tion of the fabricwith said'base member.

2. In a trim structure, an elongated, relatively narrow base member having longitudinally disposed clamping means for securing fabric thereto and an elongated ridge extending therealong, said ridge having an enlarged outer` portion and a longitudinally disposed constricted portion between said outer portion and said base member, and a cover member having an enlarged longitudinal recess and inwardly extending edges defining a constricted entrance to said recess,

said cover member embracing said ridge andhaving at least one of its edgesv extending over the Junction of the fabric with said base member, the enlarged recess of said cover member extending around and substantially mating with said ridge and the longitudinal edgesof said member extending into said constricted portion of said ridge.

3. In a trim structure, an elongated base member with its opposite edge portions bent longitudi- Acover member embracing said ridge and having and into clamping engagement 'with said base nally back toward one another and said base member to form a pair oi. spaced fabric clamping devices, said base member-between said edge portions being bent to form a ridge therealong, and an elongated cover member having a recess `extending at least partially around said ridge,

the edges of said cover member extending over the Junction of the' fabric withsaidA bent-over clamping edge portions and engaging and urging said fabric and said clamping edges toward tending toward said base portion suiiiciently to engage the fabric covering said base member edge and to urge said base member edge into clampingr engagement with the edge of the fabric disposed therebetween.

FREDERICK J. WESTROPE.

the constricted portion of v said ridge, one of said cover member edges ex-v 

